Half of Bangladesh’s Youth Remain Jobless

Johannes Jütt, Vice President for South Asia at the World Bank, has highlighted a critical challenge facing Bangladesh’s young workforce, revealing that nearly half of the country’s employable youth have not secured formal employment over the past decade. “Young people have faced even greater barriers in accessing meaningful work opportunities,” he stated.

According to Jütt, over the last ten years, approximately 14 million young people have entered Bangladesh’s labour market, yet only 8.7 million new jobs have been created. This leaves nearly 5.3 million young Bangladeshis unemployed, underlining the urgency of targeted economic and employment policies.

Speaking in a statement on Tuesday, following a three-day official visit, Jütt emphasised the government’s commitment to large-scale job creation, skills development, and investment promotion. During his visit, he held discussions with the Minister of Finance and Planning, Minister of Commerce, the Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Planning, and the Governor of Bangladesh Bank. These meetings focused on development priorities and potential areas where the World Bank could provide technical and financial assistance.

Jütt noted, “The government is prioritising initiatives that generate jobs for both young men and women, and the World Bank Group is committed to supporting these efforts.” He further stressed that, in light of growing global economic uncertainty, it is crucial to swiftly implement long-pending reforms in macroeconomic policy and the financial sector to remove structural bottlenecks that hinder economic growth and employment generation.

The World Bank’s statement also highlighted its broader support to member countries in fostering economies where growth translates into local employment opportunities. To accelerate large-scale job creation, the Bank invests in both physical and human infrastructure, helps develop business-friendly environments, and encourages private sector investment.

Since Bangladesh’s independence, the World Bank has remained a key development partner. To date, it has pledged over USD 46 billion in financial support, comprising grants, interest-free loans, and low-interest financing.

Youth Employment in Bangladesh (Past Decade)

Jütt’s remarks underscore the necessity of sustained government and international support to ensure that Bangladesh’s growing youth population can access meaningful employment, contributing to the country’s long-term economic resilience and social stability.